Three data center remote copy system with journaling

Abstract

A remote copy system includes a first storage system including a first storage controller and a first data volume. The first storage controller is configured to control data access requests to the first data volume. The first storage system is configured to store write data in the first data volume upon receiving a write request from a first host associated with the first storage system and generate a journal including control data and journal data. A second storage system includes a journal volume and configured to receive and store the journal generated by the first storage system in the journal volume. A third storage system includes a second data volume and configured to receive the journal from the second storage system and store the journal data of the journal to the second storage system according to information provided in the control data.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a storage system, more particularly to a storage system configured to perform a remote copy function.[0002]Data is the underlying resources on which all computing processes are based. With the recent explosive growth of the Internet and e-business, the demand on data storage systems has increased tremendously. Generally, storage networking encompasses two applications or configurations: network-attached storage (NAS) or storage area network (SAN). A NAS uses IP over Ethernet to transports data in file formats between storage servers and their clients. In NAS, an integrated storage system, such as a disk array or tape device, connects directly to a messaging network through a local area network (LAN) interface, such as Ethernet, using messaging communications protocols like TCP / IP. The storage system functions as a server in a client-server system.[0003]Generally, a SAN is a dedicated high performance network to move d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a storage system that can perform a remote copy function. The storage system includes a primary storage system that sends write data and control data to an intermediary storage system. The intermediary storage system stores the data and control information in a journal volume. The intermediary system then sends the data to a secondary storage system for data mirroring. The secondary storage system stores the data in a separate volume. The invention allows for secure data storage and lower equipment costs. The technical effects of the invention include improved data security and cost-effectiveness.

Problems solved by technology

The failure, however, may result from occurrence of natural disasters, e.g., earth quake or storm, in the area where the storage unit is provided, as well as from the break-down of the unit itself.

If the back-up units are placed nearby the primary units, both of them may be destroyed when the natural disaster strikes.

However, the primary and secondary storage systems cannot be placed too far apart, e.g., over 100 miles, under this mode.

However, data may be lost if the primary system does down since the PVOL and SVOL identically maintained.

Images